VA Caregiver Support Line
November 11 is Veterans’ Day in the U.S. While Americans remember all who have served, particularly those who lost their lives while serving in the military.
We also want to remember the family caregivers who have cared for them, now and in the past. We owe veterans and their family caregivers great respect, and the VA Caregiver Support Line can help.
Courses Available
The Veterans Affairs Family Caregiver Support department, also known as the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), celebrates Family Caregiver Month in November.
Veterans of all ages and their caregivers may benefit from these services. Help is a phone call to the VA Caregiver Support Line.
Learn more about Caregiver Support and the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
PsychArmor Institute
The VA Caregiver Support Line and the PsychArmor Institute have joined forces to grant access to invaluable, free-of-charge educational opportunities for caregivers of service members, veterans, and their families.
These ingenious courses are critically acclaimed as an aid for those who selflessly provide care to those in need. Invest in your skillset today and explore this remarkable resource!
Relevant Topics
The topics covered in these courses are pertinent to real-life caregiver support for veterans and their families. One of them that we think is particularly helpful is “Coaching a Loved One Into Care,” which focuses on how to talk to your veteran about seeking help.
For many family members of veterans of any age, getting the veteran to ask for help is a real, ongoing hurdle. Mothers and dads worried about the mental health and depression of their veterans face this first obstacle.
Wives who see signs of depression in their veteran husbands may be in turmoil about how to start the conversation about getting help.
You may also be interested in “Live-In” Caregiver and other VA Caregiver Support Line programs.
Some Techniques
This video speaks directly to those family members of veterans who have tried and tried to talk to the veteran about getting help for mental health and physical problems. Interested caregivers can learn how to forego the yelling, the confrontation, the excuses, and the ultimatums in these conversations and learn techniques to break down barriers and get cooperation and collaboration.
Good Grief Course
“Good Grief” is the title of another free course for caregivers, which is meant to help caregivers cope with the death of a loved one. The video addresses other losses suffered by caregivers of military members as well. While managing military members’ caregivers, the topics are generally relevant to VA caregivers’ support.
You can find these courses and over a dozen free, self-paced, web-based courses by visiting the caregivers and families section of the PsychArmor Web site.
The VA Caregiver Support Line also offers support services like a caregiver support coordinator, peer support, and a stipend to eligible family caregivers of veterans enrolled in VA health care.
The Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) and the Caregiver Assistance Program are also available to help veterans and their caregivers get the support they need.
The VA’s Caregiver Support Program (CSP) offers online programs, financial assistance, respite care, and other resources to help family caregivers of eligible veterans of all eras injured in the line of duty.
The program provides personal care services, financial assistance, and other benefits to help caregivers with the daily tasks of caregiving.
It is important to note that the eligibility for these programs is based on the veteran’s service-connected injury or illness and the veteran’s need for personal care services.
It is also important to note that the VA expanded the PCAFC program in 2020, with the help of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, to include veterans of all eras and active duty service members undergoing a medical discharge to recognize the important role family caregivers play in helping veterans access to health care.
Caregivers can apply for the program by completing VA Form 10-10CG, available on the VA website, or by contacting their local VA medical center.
The VA is committed to caring for our nation’s veterans and their families and providing the support they need to establish a baseline for their health and well-being.
Help is available to caregivers of veterans. The VA Caregiver Support Line, toll-free at 1-855-260-3274, or the caregiver.va.gov/index website can provide more information about the program and the application process.